Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I live in Russia (born in Kazakhstan). I got a birthday gift in 12 years – FED-3 camera. First there was the children’s hobby, curiosity. During the time of the film photography it was commonplace. (Night. Bathroom. Enlarger. Magic)

I photograph people who are interesting to me. In any case not banal models. Now I teach my author’s course periodically (“Author’s vision of the portrait”). Emphasis on aesthetics, psychology of perception. It is important not technically teach a person to photograph. The main thing people should get away from stereotypes and narrow-minded thinking. See and pass it through the prism of their own world view.

How did you get interested in photography?

… . First there was the children’s hobby, curiosity . Later I became a deeper study photography, people. Many became interested in painting. Study the classics of photography and painting. A lot of shooting, looking for …
In a certain period of my life, I worked as a freelancer (portraits, still life, report) . Making portraits, I just get a lot of pleasure. These people, chat with them lightens me, inspires me. Is not this the most important thing?

Have any artist/photographer inspired your art?

As has already been said … Began to read the classics of painting, photography.
I love Repin, Serov, Petrov-Vodkin, Picasso, Avedon, Irving Penn… many Great artists. I like many different photographers. In the world there are good photography. And there are bad).

Could you please tell us anything about your technique and creating process?

I shoot a people, ordinary people. I love to tinker with them, spend time on them. I coming to them in houses, apartments, rooms and so on. And I work in the light that they have. Lively, natural light. Lots of talk. I am looking for the place that most succinctly and is an important interior in the context that I need. I want to take pictures of my people, as I see them. They get my subjective opinion.. I’m not interested in objectivity. I’m not interested in the opinion of the majority.
Art – it is subjectivity initially. I “paint” what I want. These people taught me the ability to read them.
PS
I am using Hasselblad, Rolleiflex 2.8 cameras and negative bw film. Also using Leica M6 for mobile situation and street photo-notes.

Describe your ideal photographic situation

Big and tall space (very much!), Lots of natural light with large windows and the roof. Wooden walls, floors …. chair ..
New and interesting people. Lots of space, air)). Relaxed atmosphere. Music. The talk about life))

How much preparation do you put into taking a photography?

Portraiture process usually takes me – from 1 hour to 4 hours. It all depends on the situation and what I want.
I talked a lot with people, we drinking tea, communicate. We just get pleasure from the process. As we work together no photographer and sitter. We communicate. As good friends. But many people I see for the first time.
Sometimes I can do a portrait for 15 minutes. I saw. Directed. Made. What’s your useable-to-unusable ratio when you review images from a shoot? … Naturalness and conditions that could make for expressive image.

What quick advice do you have for someone who wants to improve his or her photography skills?

Learn not to press the button. Try to change your vision of the world . Learn to see and feel. A lot to see and read the classics. In any case not modern crap.  Do not be a photographer. Be observant person with a child’s inquisitiveness.

From time to time many photographers find themselves in a creative rut or uninspired to shoot. Does this ever happen to you and if so how do you overcome these phases?

No ideas. Head does not work? Just take a photograph your loved ones (family, kids etc). This is useful for your history, and help to climb out )).

What future plans do you have? What projects would you like to accomplish?

Live and shoot .  Hopefully, at the end of the summer will be small exhibition in Berlin with my portrait works.  I do layouts of my photo albums: “Portraits”, “Nude portraits”. [Official Website]